From 17
years ago visiting India for the first time, Hollywood A-lister Michael Douglas
remembers every detail of his first trip. Now on his fourth trip and first to
Goa, he was comfortable and relaxed as he faced an energetic audience at the
in-conversation session on ‘Is It Time for One World Cinema?’ with film
producer Shailendra Singh.
Touching upon different aspects of not just his professional
but also personal life, Michael shared his mind on what it feels like as an
actor, producer, husband, son and father and he takes on each of these roles
very responsibly.
Michael said, “A good movie making material, something which
is personal and close to one’s home country and having the global potential in
its message can appeal to World Cinema.”
Reminiscing about his first visit to the North of India, he
said, “I was here 17 years ago trying to develop a sequel to ‘Romancing the
Stone’ which was called ‘Racing the Monsoon. Then I learnt how much of an
influence the monsoon has in India.”
“Among all the different generations, Gen Z I have the most
faith in. They are the ones who acknowledge the fact that their parents have
really messed up. They want us to get out of the way so they can clean up this
planet. Climate change affects us all and I am involved in the United Nations
which gets criticised a lot but I think is the best organisation in concept
that we have in dealing with worldly problems. I’m very optimistic about Gen
Z,” said Michael about the future generation that can lead the way.
Calling himself a control freak best suited to be a
producer, he said, “As a producer, one has to have a 360 degree knowledge of
everything that is going on and that is what keeps me going.”
Speaking about his latest project and retirement, Michael
gave a hint that he might be toying with idea of retiring in Goa. “I have
always made contemporary movies and only one period picture. I recently did an
eight hour series for Apple on Benjamin Franklin which will be out in April
called Franklin. Now I have retired. I have cleaned my plate off, wiped off the
white board and I am enjoying it. I am already nine months into it but I can
see another year of not doing something. By the way, Goa is looking pretty
good,” said Michael.
Both the speakers were felicitated by Festival Director of
IFFI 54, Prithul Kumar.
Michael Douglas was bestowed with the prestigious Satyajit
Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing ceremony of 54th IFFI later in
the evening.
